Mozambique - Ibo Island Yacht Charter

Diving and Fishing in the Quirimbas Archipelago

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8 days

from £2,995pp (excluding flights)

Dive and fish the rich waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago, in northern Mozambique. Setting off from idyllic Ibo Island, with its colourful history, sail to St. Lazarus Bank aboard a beautiful 12-metre-long sailing catamaran. Explore this fascinating underwater landscape – alive with marine life.

Charter a spacious catamaran and cruise the waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago

Stay at the peaceful Ibo Island Lodge, inspired by the island’s colonial ruins

Dive with freedom off the fish-rich St. Lazarus Bank, which rises from the deep

Fish, snorkel, paddleboard and kayak from the yacht

THE YACHT

Spend two nights aboard this beautiful catamaran, in between time spent at Ibo Island Lodge. A professional skipper and crew staff the boat, which is also equipped with diving equipment, fishing gear, kayaks, paddleboards and a pair of motor skiffs.

Modern and designed with comfort in mind, this elegant vessel is perfect for cruising the tranquil waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago. Below decks, the yacht is clean and spacious. Three double cabins, a saloon and galley fil the interior. All meals are provided and all equipment is free to use. Spend time making the most of this ocean playground, or relax on deck and admire the attractive scenery.

DIVING

Begin with a full day of diving off the lighthouse on Ibo Island. Although relatively accessible, this reef offers fantastic diving. A beautiful underwater wall is decorated with soft corals, bucket corals and green tree corals. Fish dart through this colourful coral forest, with angel fish, praying mantis shrimps and ribbon eels commonly spotted.

The following day, leave land behind and head towards St. Lazarus Bank. Spend a full day diving the waters of this vast submerged atoll, where the sea boils with marine life. This steep-sided sandbank rises from depths of 2,400 metres, attracting a wealth of sea creatures. Dive off the beautiful reef, spotting the colourful fish that dart between the coral formations.

FISHING

For those who prefer to stay above the water, the St. Lazurus Bank offers an entirely different opportunity. This rich environment in an excellent spot for fishing. Taking advantage of the on-board gear, spend hours fishing these teeming waters, making sure to catch and release. Large shoals of fish are found here, including kingfish, dorados, barracudas, wahoos, yellowfin tuna and sailfish.

WHY WE LIKE IT

This charter offers the chance to explore the waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago, both above and below the surface. With a fully staffed 12-metre catamaran at your disposal, cruise between the white-sand islands that make up this beautiful coastal reserve. The freedom to dive far offshore allows for total flexibility, meaning that an entire day can be spent exploring the underwater world of St. Lazurus Bank.

For a more detailed itinerary with great ideas on what to do and where to stay, please get in touch with our experts.

Itinerary at a glance

Dotted with ruins and ancient forts, Ibo combines spectacular desert-island views with a rich, eclectic history. The local people buzz with life, preserving an authentic island culture that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Day of Diving off Ibo IslandSpend the day diving the waters off Ibo Island. Benefit from a full-day charter on a five-metre-long motor skiff and take two dives in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The underwater landscape close to the island is beautiful, with the best diving at the lighthouse. Here, a long wall spreads outwards, featuring soft corals, bucket corals and green tree corals, as well as colourful marine life. Spot angel fish, Napoleon wrasse, trumpet fish, praying mantis shrimp and ribbon eels.

Sail to St. Lazarus BankBoard the catamaran and set sail towards St. Lazarus Bank. The yacht features fishing, snorkelling and diving equipment, as well as kayaks and paddleboards. Make use of this on-board gear as the yacht sails through the azure waters of the Quirimbas Archipelago. Head north into the deep Mozambique Channel, towards this vast coralline sand bank. Upon arrival, have time to swim, snorkel and fish.

Diving and Fishing at St. Lazarus BankSpend the day diving the coral reefs of St. Lazarus Bank. This vast submerged atoll rises up from a depth of 2,400 metres, with a steep sided sandbank at its centre. The corals dance with brightly coloured fish, whilst the steep drop off disappears into the deep, visible for some distance thanks to the clear waters. Have the entire day to explore this captivating underwater world.